Luggage or step carrier to be attached to automobiles or other vehicles



Apnl' 15, 1930. J. B. HALL 1,754,555

LUGGAGE OR STEP CARRIER TO BE ATTACHED TO AUTOMOBILES OR OTHER VEHICLES Filed July 17. 1922 Wlfnea e.s v INVEN @J ZZZQ ATTORN EY JAY B. HALL, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO WILBUR E. HALL, OF SASKATOON,

Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA LUGGAGE OR STEP CARRIER TO BE ATTACHED TO AUTOMOBILES OR OTHER VEHICLES Application filed .TuZy 1'7,

My invention relates to improvements to luggage carriers and more particularly to a folding luggage carrier.

The object of this invention is to provide a suitable folding luggage carrier which may be folded into a small and compact article when not in use, and which is not necessary to detach from the running board or shelf when not in use, and which may be opened into operating position very quickly and without difficulty when required for use.

A further object of the invention is the provisions made for the mechanical and simple method of folding the said luggage carrier into a small and compact space when not in use, and to be entirely out of the way of the user when he desires to use the running board step or shelf for other purposes. A still further object of the invention is to provide a luggage carrier or shelf railing, that when desired for use by the operator may be instantly lifted into position andlocked firmly in an upright position for immediateuse.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple substantial braces attached to the luggage carrier in such a manner that they may be folded inwardly and out of sight whenthe luggage carrier is folded and not in use, and to further provide a' rigid brace and looking device to hold the luggage carrier or shelf rail in an upright position when in use.

Further objects of the invention will appear as this specific description which follows is read in connection with accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which Figure l is a side elevation showing the luggage carrier in open position for use as at tached to the running board, step or shelf.

Figure 2 is another side elevation showing the luggage carrier when not in use and folded down upon the running board, step or shelf.

Figure 3 is an end elevation showing the luggage carrier when in use with the brace extended and attached to therunning board step or shelf.

Figure 4 is another end view showing the luggage carrier collapsed or in a disappear- 1522. Serial No. 575,632.

ing position when attached to the running board, step or shelf and when not'in use.

Figure 5 is a section of the center bar 3 showing a method of locking the perpendicularly supported braces when the luggage carrier is open and in use.

Again referring to the several figures and in their consecutive order with the several numbers attached thereto, and read in conjunction with the drawing and describing the several parts and operation.

Figure 1. The character 1 designates the side view of a metal top angle bar which forms a cover when the luggage carrier is closed. 2 represents the lower bar, which is attached by screws or bolts to the running board or shelf in a permanent manner. 3 refers to the center bar, which is slotted in such a way that it acts as a guide and brace and which carries a locking device at either end when the carrier is in open and extended position. 41t4= and 555 refer to perpendicuiar braces which in this particular instance contains three sets, but there may be more or less depending upon the length of the luggage carrier, and which braces are attached to angle bar 1 and base bar 2 with shoulder rivets forming pivotal hinges. And also riveted through the slots 11, 13, and 15 in center bar 3 with shoulder rivets 16, 19 and 22 forming a sliding pivotal joint, so they will easily pass outwardly and inwardly in a lateral position. 66-6666-66 represents the diagonal braces, also attached to angle bar 1 and lower bar 2 with shoulder rivets forming pivotal joints at the top and bottom and in addition shoulder rivets 17 and 20 passing through braces 6666 66-6-6 at slots in bar 3 at 12 and 141: forming a pivotal sliding joint. Shoulder rivets 18 and 21 pass through braces 6-.666 666-6 and bar 3 at 18 and 21 forming a stationary pivotal joint.

Figure 2 is a closed position of the carrier with center bar 3 and lower bar 2, perpendicular braces 4-44 and 55-5, diagonal braces 666-66-6-66 all folded underneath the extended edge of angle bar 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the luggage carrier attached to board or shelf 10 in position for use. 1 is a cross section of the angle bar; 2 a cross section of the lower bar; 3 a cross section of the center slotted bar, and showing the position of braces 4- l4 and 555. 77 are the braces for locking and supporting the upperedge of the carrier rigidly to the running board, step or shelf when in use. 77 are attached at 2823 to pivotal hinges 2424 and attached to the angle bar 1 with shoulder rivets 2525 upon which it oscillates, permitting it to swing inwardly and fold parallel with an under angle bar 1. At the other end of braces 7-7 is provided rectangular slots to pass over and hook 011 to clips 9--9. 8-8 are spring catches riveted to braces 7-7 which look said braces 77 rigidly to clips 99. Clips 99 are small degree angle clips with small projectionsextending from their outer ends with small slots in their sides 2626 to receive springs 88 riveted to braces 77 which clip 99 is attaohed to the running board or shelf 10.

Figure 4 represents the luggage carrier in a closed form with bars 28, braces 444, 555, 666666-66 and 77 folded in a compact parallel position under angle bar 1. 99 are the clips attached with screws or bolts to running board or shelf 10, 2626 is slot in clips 9-9 to receive springs 8-8.

Figure 5 is an enlarged drawing of slots 11, 13, and 15 showing the notch 27. Rivets 16, 19 and 22 intersect and look into center bar 3 when the carrier is in an extended or upright position for use.

It should be particularly noted that the lower horizontal bar or rail 2 is adapted to be immovably fixed relative to the outer vertical face of the running board 10 of an automobile or other vehicle. hen the luggage carrier or rack is in collapsed condition the links in the respective pairs are located side by side at the edge of the running board, as shown in Fig. 4. The top bar or rail 1 always remains in parallelism with the lowermost fixed bar or rail 2 and also with the intermediate bar or rail 3. The links between the top rail 1 and the bottom rail 2 have a pivotal connection with the top bar and a pivotal relation with the running board and are arranged in such a manner that the top bar may be moved vertically. Therefore when theluggage carrier is in collapsed condition the top bar or rail 1 will be positioned opposite the bottom rail and at the edge of the running board between the fenders or mud guards at the ends of the running board so as not to project beyond the running board either forwardly or rearwardly. hen the top bar or rail is lifted it will be automatically locked in fully extended position by the shoulder rivets 16 19 and 22 seating themeslves in the notches 27. This locking is effected indepen d-. ently of any connections to the fenders or mud guards at the ends of the running board.

It can readily be seen that by lifting the in termediate bar or rail 3 relatively to the shouldcr rivets 16, 19 and 22 the automatic locking mechanism may be released and the top rail 1 pushed down to collapsed condition where the luggage carrier will be arranged in a very compact form.

lVhen the carrier or rack has been operated to its fully extended position it may be braced by the diagonal brace bars 7 adjacent the ends of the top rail 1. Since the flange is on a vertical axis and the hinge 23 on a horizontal. axis the braces 7 may be swung into positions where they will be under the horizontal flange 25 and above the links "dc, when the carrier or rack is in collapsed condition. \Vhen the carrier is in its fully extended position and the braces 7 are secured to the running board the carrier or rack still remains connected to the running board independently of any connections to the fenders or mud guards.

It should also be noted that the top rail by being provided with the horizontal flange 25 not only affords pivotal supports for the hinges 24, but also affords a housing to cover and protect from dirt the links and their pivotal connections when the carrier or rack is in the collapsed condition shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the luggage carrier shown is adapted when folded to form a protective face at the outer edge of the running board of the automobile, being substantially of the same thickness as the said board and composed of co-operating parts which constitute a housing providing a finishing appearance for the edge of the running board. In other words since the base rail 2 is permanently secured to the outer edge of the running board and the top rail is provided with a horizontal flange, the parts co-operate with each other so that the top rail when folded houses the links and forms a protective facing along the edge of the running board substantially flush with the upper face of the board, the metal being light and thin for this purpose. The horizontal flange 25 extends over the top of the elements when in folded position and therefore sufficiently encloses such elements to prevent the entry of dirt from shoes of those who are in the habit of scraping their shoes on the ct ges of the running board before entering an automobile. The luggage carrier when in collapsed condition forms an extension of the edge of the running board and forms a sufficiently complete housing for the other parts to protect them.

Fig. 4 shows the angle bar after it has been dropped to the running board 10. As shown in Fig.4, the upper horizontal flange of the angle bar co-operates with the running board 10 to serve as a stop while at the same time the angle bar serves as a protective facing along the outer edge of the running board. This protective facing extends horizontally and vertically along the outer edge of the running board. a

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is v 1. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed relative to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails having a plurality of, bars side by side when in collapsed condition with said flange covering and protecting said means, a brace member pivoted and hinged to said horizontal flange and detachable connections between the free end of said brace and running board.

2. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed relative to the outer vertica face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails having a plurality of bars side by side when in collapsed condition with said flange covering and protecting said means, a brace member adapted for flat engagement beneath said flange when the carrier is folded and with a slot in its free end, and a clip on the running board adapted for reception within said slot when the carrier is in its open position for use.

3. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be permanently and immovably fixed to the vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last mentioned rail in front of said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, said means including elements coacting when the luggage carr er is in opened-out relation to maintain the same in such relation.

4. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed with relation to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last mentioned rail in front of said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed.

5. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed with relation to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange and an intermediate horizontal rail, a se ies of connecting links between said fixed rail and said intermediate rail, another series of connecting links between said second rail and said intermediate rail, means of pivotal connection between the respective end portions of the last mentioned links and the respective movable rails, said links and said intermediate rail when in collapsed condition lying side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt the collapsed members of the carrier, and means for maintaining the opened-out relation of the luggage carrier.

6. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed with relation to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last-mentioned rail in front of said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, and means for maintaining the opened out relation of the luggage carrier.

7. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed directly to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having an inwardly directed horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last mentioned rail in front of said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed.

8. A luggage carrier for automobiles com prising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed directly to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a

second rail havin 'an inwardly directed hori zontal flange, and an intermediate horizontal rail, a series of connecting links between said fixed rail and said intermediate rail, another series of connecting links between said second rail and said intermediate rail, means of pivotal connection between the respective end portions of the last mentioned links and the respective movable rails, said links and said intermediate rail when in collapse-d condition lying side byside, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt the collapsed members of the carrier, and means for maintaining the opened-out relation of the luggage carrier.

9. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed directly to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having an inwardly directed horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said lastmentioned rail in front of said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, and means for maintaining the opened-out rela tion of the luggage carrier.

10. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed with relation to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last-mentioned rail adjacent to said fixed rail, said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed.

11. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail adapted to be immovably fixed with relation to the outer vertical face of the running board of the vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last-mentioned rail adjacent to said fixed rail said means when in collapsed condition having a plurality of bars side by side, and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, and means for maintaining the opened-out relation of the luggage carrier.

12. A collapsible luggage carrier adapted for attachment to the running board of a vehicle comprising a plurality of longitudinal arallel bars, and parallel motion mechanism tween said bars to compel the upper bar to move along vertical lines relatively to the lower bar when operated to extended position or to collapsed position.

13. In a luggage carrier adapted to be attached to the running board of an aut0mobile, the combination with a bottom rail, of a top rail, an intermediate rail, a plurality of links between said rails to enable the same to be moved into collapsed position and to support the same when in extended and operative position, and means associated with the intermediate rail to lock the rails in spread-apart parallel relation.

14. In a luggage carrier for automobiles, the combination with a main horizontal rail adapted to be secured to the outer vertical face of the running board of an automobile, of a second rail having a horizontal flange, means comprising pivotal connections between said rails for directing said secondnamed rail to a collapsed position adjacent said fixed rail, said means comprising a plurality of bars mounted between portions of the rails when in collapsed condition and said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, and means for maintaining the opened-out relation of the luggage carrier.

15. The combination with the running board of an automobile, of a foldable luggage carrier comprising base and top rails with intermediate links pivoted to each thereof, and means for permanently securing the base rail to the outer edge of said board, said rails being shaped to co-operate with each other so that the top rail when folded covers said links and forms a protective facing along said edge substantially flush with the upper face of said board.

16. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail secured against the outer vertical face of the running board of a vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, and a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last-mentioned rail adjacent to said fixed rail comprising a plurality of bars mounted between portions of the rails when in collapsed condition, said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed.

17. A luggage carrier for automobiles comprising a main horizontal rail secured against the outer vertical face of the running board of a vehicle, a second rail having a horizontal flange, a means of pivotal connection between said rails for moving said last-mentioned rail adjacent to said fixed rail comprising a plurality of bars mounted between portions of the rails when in collapsed condition, said flange covering and protecting from entry of dirt said means when the carrier is collapsed, and means for maintaining the opened out relation of the luggage carrier.

JAY B. HALL. 

